Mid-priced seat covers?

[Martinjmpr]

On a lot of our older vehicles the seats show a lot of wear and tear, especially the driver's seat. As far as seat covers go, I seem to have used both extremes: I've used the el-cheapo "generic fit" $20 seat covers from a discount store, and I've had a set of custom made cordura nylon seat covers at a cost of ~$250 for a pair (Marathon, if anyone's interested.)
.
So my question for the group is: What is there in between? Say in the $40 - $80 per seat ($80 - $160 for a pair) range? What "universal fit" seat covers have you found that offer a decent compromise between price and function?
.
This wouldn't be for my Suburban (which has leather seats in decent condition) but for other vehicles I may have. I'm just wondering what's even made in the mid-price range that people have used.

 

[Ducky's Dad]

Check Costco's line of seat covers. I haven't looked for a couple of years, but they used to have a broad offering.

 

[rayra]

I'm going to have to find some too, my leather was cracking before I increased the vehicle height and now the outer bolster of the driver seat is really taking some harder wear.
I've re-upholstered the bench seat in my pickup using a purpose-made fitted replacement. I'm willing to try that again on my Sub. But the vendors I've found so far want ballpark $200+ per seat for a leather set.


meh. $125 Genuine Pleather.

https://www.amazon.com/Suburban-Sea...1-7&keywords=2002+suburban+leather+seat+cover

 

[Martinjmpr]

I'm going to have to find some too, my leather was cracking before I increased the vehicle height and now the outer bolster of the driver seat is really taking some harder wear.
I've re-upholstered the bench seat in my pickup using a purpose-made fitted replacement. I'm willing to try that again on my Sub. But the vendors I've found so far want ballpark $200+ per seat for a leather set.


meh. $125 Genuine Pleather.

https://www.amazon.com/Suburban-Sea...1-7&keywords=2002+suburban+leather+seat+cover

Do those go over the existing leather or do you take the leather off and put those on?

$200 for a decent brand new leather seat cover doesn't sound that outrageous to me. The 'Burb is the first vehicle I've ever owned with leather and it was one option I really wanted. My drivers seat is worn (of course) more than the rest but they're not in terrible shape, not like some I've seen.

To me the biggest drawback for leather seats is that when they start to crack and tear, they look REALLY awful. Way worse than worn/faded cloth seats.

 

[rayra]

You remove the old material. You have to dismount the seat anyway to do the job properly. Typically there's clamps or 'hog rings' which are just big metal staples in effect.

Living where I do in L.A., I'm considering taking mine down into San Fernando, a mecca of re-upholstery shops. But I'd rathe rdo it myself if I can find an affordable kit source. I have some bookmarks from a search a year or more ago. Some companies in the midwest that seemed reasonable. Certainly less than the pricey genuine leather pieces on eBay right now. The search continues. Or resumes, as the wear on my driver seat has accelerated since I raised the suspension.

I don't see any replacement seat coverings offered by the restoration companies like LMC Truck, which is surprising to me. They have a generic bucket seat cover, btu I don't expect its fitment to be very good. But they might do as a stopgap solution -
http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/ce/full.aspx?Page=49


These guys at $400/row for genuine leather ($240 for pleather) seem tolerable, but have no clue about the company or quality.
http://www.gtcovers.com/seat-covers/gmx-yukon-xl-seat-covers.html

They also have a velour row/set for $220. Some folks don't like the leather. They're a bit clammy in the heat.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Updating this thread now that I have the Pathy.
.
Does anyone use the Cabelas "Trail Gear" seat covers? I'm just wondering if, with the laces up the side, they can snug up a bit so they don't look like cheap-***** generic-fit seat covers?
.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/home/outfitting-your-truck-for-spring/auto-seat-covers%7C/pc/105625080/c/517803480/sc/104558580/cabela-s-low-back-trailgear-seat-covers/2250860.uts?destination=%2Fcategory%2FAuto-Seat-Covers%2F104558580.uts%3FWT.srch%3D1%26WT.tsrc%3DPPC%26rid%3D20%26WT.mc_id%3DGOOGLE%257Caut_Automotive%252BInterior_Seat%252BCovers_CAB%257CUSA%26WT.z_mc_id1%3D43700010237160184%26gclid%3DCJ6uqf2Drs8CFYJehgoda4wNDQ%26gclsrc%3Daw.ds

 

[Dazrin]

I can't answer about Trail Gear but since I am also looking I thought I would add this here instead of a new thread, maybe it will help us both. I am also looking for mid-priced covers (ideally no more than $150 for the front row), but I also want them to last at least a few years.

I have some Coverking neoprene covers from Costco that the previous owner bought for my LC, they are about 5 years old (June 2011) and are completely shot. Worn thru where I get in and out, very worn on the passenger side despite very little use for the last 3.5 years (from me). They are also very faded so it is time for them to go.

This time around I am looking for some form of a canvas type material since I didn't care much for the neoprene. Looking online I have found a bunch of places that look like they use the same patterns. I think the pattern is by Exact Fit, but I don't see a direct link for "exact fit", so I am wondering if they are all made by the same place and the different prices are just based on markup. If so, DuraFit certainly wins on price for me. The other option is that it is just the pattern that exact fit sells and they all use their own materials. I tend to doubt that though given the color options for all of these are basically the same.

• DuraFit ($130) - www.durafitcovers.com
• Rugged Fit Covers ($170) - www.ruggedfitcovers.com
• GT Covers ($230) - www.gtcovers.com
• Precision Fit ($230) - www.precisionfit.com
• Great Covers ($230) - www.greatcovers.com

Another option I have been looking at is Covercraft (Seat saver / PolyCotton or Waterproof Polyester), these aren't the same pattern but are in the same price range as the DuraFits for me. Price for front 80 series Land Cruiser is $145. www.covercraft.com

Does anyone have experience with one of these?

 

[Ducky's Dad]

Costco has Coverking in their VelociVent (?) fabric for $100 front row, $190 two rows.

 

[Sock Puppet]

Does anyone use the Cabelas "Trail Gear" seat covers? I'm just wondering if, with the laces up the side, they can snug up a bit so they don't look like cheap-***** generic-fit seat covers?

I put them on my '07 F-350. Got 'em on clearance and have about $70 in the set IIRC. They've got a few months and 3K miles or so and I'm pretty happy with them. The fit isn't as tight as when I first installed them but I haven't tried adjusting them yet. So far the fabric is doing great and they are much better than I expected for the price. I've had expensive, $200+ per row seat covers in the past, and while they certainly fit better, I wasn't willing to fork out that kind of cash this time.

 

[NMC_EXP]

Does anyone use the Cabelas "Trail Gear" seat covers? I'm just wondering if, with the laces up the side, they can snug up a bit so they don't look like cheap-***** generic-fit seat covers?
.

I have the Cabelas covers in the FJ60. I'd buy another set.

For the Suburban I'm leaning towards this Covercraft canvas model:

http://www.autoanything.com/seat-covers/61A1447A0A0.aspx

There is a cover claimed to be made with Carhartt brand cotton duck that is interesting:

http://www.autoanything.com/seat-covers/carhartt-duck-weave-seat-covers

 

[kojackJKU]

Cover King has a "tactical" set....Can't remember the name off hand but they look decent for a good price....plus the extra storage is always a bonus!

 

[Ducky's Dad]

Cover King has a "tactical" set....Can't remember the name off hand but they look decent for a good price....plus the extra storage is always a bonus!

I bought a set of cordura "tactical" covers from the company that makes them for CoverKing. Mine were definitely not moderately priced, but they did some custom stuff that was not available from CoverKing (extra velcro panels, storage and flashlight pouches right where I want them, etc.). Well made, very easy to deal with these guys. I can look up contact info if anybody wants custom details on their covers.

 

[kojackJKU]

Jesus, I thought they were like 195.00 a set on ebay....might be mistaken. Either way they look great!

 

[Spencerwells]

These Carhartt covers look like a good options for my 1996 Isuzu Trooper, but that isn't one of the vehicle options. Does anyone know of a vehicle with similarly laid out and sized seat? Or how universal these covers are?

 

[NMC_EXP]

These Carhartt covers look like a good options for my 1996 Isuzu Trooper, but that isn't one of the vehicle options. Does anyone know of a vehicle with similarly laid out and sized seat? Or how universal these covers are?

Autoanything lists the Carhartt covers for your Trooper:

http://www.autoanything.com/seat-covers/carhartt-duck-weave-seat-covers